Chapter 50: Something Extraordinary Has Been Discovered
Hollis's eyes had turned completely black—not just the irises, but the entire visible surface including what should have been the whites of his eyes.
The tablet slipped from his trembling hands as he stood rigidly, his head tilted back at an unnatural angle, body convulsing with involuntary spasms.
Ryan immediately activated his recording equipment to document the phenomenon.
"Time: 1:17 PM. Initial observation of Immortal Gene interaction test. After seventy-two hours of analysis, no identifiable immortality marker has been isolated within the subject's DNA. However, during Celestial Gene integration, the subject has undergone unprecedented physiological changes."
Ryan circled Hollis while dictating his observations. "No visible external mutation detected. Complete ocular blackening suggests retinal activation through neural stimulation. Unknown energy source affecting visual cortex directly."
"Subject experiencing involuntary muscular contractions. Core temperature elevated to 110.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Cellular hyperactivity affecting nervous system, resulting in loss of motor control and apparent consciousness suspension."
After documenting the physical symptoms, Ryan retrieved a portable X-ray scanner and aimed it at Hollis's skull.
"Abnormal brainwave activity detected. Suspected electromagnetic interference from unknown energy source."
Within seconds, the scanning device began emitting smoke and sparks before shutting down completely.
Unable to detect the energy signature visually, Ryan grabbed an electromagnetic field detector from his equipment rack.
The moment he approached Hollis, the detector's alarm shrieked at maximum volume before the device exploded in a shower of circuits and plastic fragments.
"What the hell is happening?!"
Every piece of electrical equipment in the laboratory began malfunctioning simultaneously—lights flickering, computers rebooting, and sensitive instruments registering impossible readings. Just as Ryan braced for a catastrophic system failure, absolute silence returned.
Thud.
Mr. Immortal collapsed unconsciously to the laboratory floor.
Ryan quickly lifted him onto the examination table and performed a comprehensive physical assessment. Body temperature and cellular activity had returned to baseline normal, but his neural activity remained dramatically elevated.
During typical human REM sleep, brain activity might register at level one on Ryan's measurement scale. Hollis's current neural state was operating at least at level seven—far beyond anything documented in medical literature.
Although Ryan couldn't definitively explain what had happened to Hollis, the timing strongly suggested a connection to the Celestial Gene injection. The cellular experiments and Hollis's episode had occurred simultaneously, making correlation almost certain.
He secured Hollis with restraints as a precautionary measure. Television shows always depicted test subjects awakening with dangerous mutations or psychotic episodes—better to err on the side of caution.
Even if Hollis couldn't physically harm Ryan, damage to equipment or precious serum samples would represent a significant setback.
Uncertain when Hollis might regain consciousness, Ryan returned to his microscope to observe the cellular fusion process.
What he discovered left him speechless with amazement.
Hours after the initial injection, Hollis's cells were still dividing at an accelerated rate. Ryan quickly activated the electron microscope's recording function.
"If Hollis's cells contain an immortality factor, and Celestial genes absorb cosmic energy to drive stem cell production... Dear God. We're looking at a potential perpetual biological engine. A pathway to godhood itself."
The theoretical implications were staggering. Cells containing immortality markers combined with Celestial genes drawing unlimited cosmic energy could theoretically reproduce indefinitely—potentially covering entire star systems given sufficient time and resources.
While theoretically possible, achieving true infinite reproduction remained practically impossible. The Celestial genetic material Ryan had injected was microscopic, sufficient for only single-cell enhancement. After reaching a certain threshold, the sample would be depleted through insufficient energy supply.
But what if both genetic templates were injected into a single organism simultaneously?
The concept was utterly insane and extraordinarily dangerous—unless that organism could withstand the energy output of an entire universe without cellular breakdown.
Ryan's gaze drifted toward the still-unconscious Hollis.
The temptation was enormous, but the risk of destroying his only immortal test subject gave him pause.
"Mmm... what's wrong with me?"
Hollis slowly stirred, testing his restraints with obvious confusion. "Mr. Ryan, why am I tied up again?"
Seeing Hollis had regained consciousness, Ryan set down his instruments and approached. "Mr. Hollis, do you feel any physical discomfort?"
Hollis took a moment to assess his condition before shaking his head. "No, I feel normal."
"Think carefully about what you experienced before losing consciousness."
Recognizing Ryan's serious tone, Hollis concentrated on recovering his memories.
"After lunch, we returned to the laboratory. You began your experiments while I played games on the tablet, and then..."
Hollis's expression shifted to astonishment, his eyes widening with disbelief.
"I found myself in a completely dark space—empty, void-like. Then brilliant golden light appeared everywhere."
He paused, struggling with the recollection. "I can't remember anything after that point."
Ryan noted that Hollis's heart rate had remained stable throughout his unconscious period, indicating normal sleep rather than death and resurrection.
"Rest for now," Ryan said reassuringly. "I need to complete a few more tests before releasing you."
He returned to his workstation and opened a leather-bound notebook. To prevent sharing experimental data with military oversight, Ryan recorded all critical discoveries in handwritten notes using his own encrypted shorthand.
[Subject experienced apparent dimensional displacement. Cannot rule out extra-dimensional contact. Connection between Celestial gene integration and host consciousness. Energy resonance phenomenon?]
With limited data available, Ryan could only document observed phenomena and speculation.
Over the following days, Ryan devoted every waking moment to researching the interaction between Celestial genetic material and Hollis's unique biology.
However, subsequent experiments failed to reproduce Hollis's previous condition, leaving Ryan uncertain whether the Celestial genes were actually responsible for the episode.
Meanwhile, the joint Congressional hearing between Secretary of State Ross and S.H.I.E.L.D. representatives was reaching its climax.
S.H.I.E.L.D. and the remaining Avengers had one primary demand: immediate revocation of Ryan's military research advisory position.
Their argument was straightforward. Ryan had murdered two Avengers in cold blood, then initiated a destructive battle in Midtown Manhattan that nearly leveled several city blocks.
For national security reasons, Ryan should be classified as a dangerous individual and barred from government employment.
Secretary of State Ross adjusted his microphone and addressed the assembled committee with practiced political precision. "First, let me clarify that the Avengers lacked operational authorization for their Manhattan intervention. According to supplemental provisions of the Sokovia Accords, their actions were legally illegitimate. We cannot make subjective judgments about right and wrong simply because the Avengers have previously saved the world."
"Second, the destruction of Midtown Manhattan wasn't caused by a single individual, but by multiple participants—with Dr. Banner bearing primary responsibility for collateral damage."
Ross harbored deep resentment toward the Hulk. Banner had seduced his daughter Betty, absconded with classified military research, and caused enormous casualties during subsequent capture operations.
Ross blamed Bruce Banner for virtually every problem involving gamma radiation research.
Whenever Avengers-related issues arose, Ross inevitably found ways to attack Banner's credibility and judgment.
Ross glanced toward the S.H.I.E.L.D. and Avengers representatives with a slight smile. "If you believe Ryan poses a danger, or has committed actionable offenses, please provide specific evidence."
"Accusations without substantiation constitute slander under federal law."
Secretary Ross had spent considerable time in Washington's political arena. His arguments were sharp, well-reasoned, and protected Ryan from every conceivable angle of attack.
S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers couldn't provide evidence because events that hadn't occurred in this timeline—or had happened in alternate universes—couldn't be presented as legitimate proof of criminal behavior.
End of Chapter 50
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